Welcome to the EquiRatings Archive, a treasure trove of timeless tales that celebrate the unique bond between horse and rider, the thrill of competition, and the beauty of this age-old tradition. Here, you'll find an extensive collection of stories from the world of equestrian sports, covering everything in show jumping and eventing.

Main

<h3 data-start="433" data-end="462">&nbsp;</h3>
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<h3 data-start="433" data-end="462">The Riders to Watch</h3>
At the top of the prediction center sits Boyd Martin and Luke 140, a serious talent making a long-awaited return. While Boyd&rsquo;s horse is undeniably gifted, will he be at full throttle this early in the season?
Meanwhile, Phillip Dutton has a powerful hand with Jewelent and Quasi Cool, both well-placed to secure more crucial Open points. Dutton already holds the lead in the standings&mdash;could Bouckaert extend his advantage?
Another major contender is Lucienne Bellissimo&rsquo;s Dyri, a standout in the first phase with the lowest dressage average in the field. If she jumps clear in show jumping, she could find herself at the top heading into cross-country.
<h3 data-start="1141" data-end="1194">The Bouckaert Challenge: Time is Everything</h3>
Bouckaert&rsquo;s cross-country course is a true test of speed and endurance, with only four combinations in history finishing inside the time in this class. In an event where cross-country time penalties will likely decide the winner.
<h3 data-start="1479" data-end="1526">Dark Horse Alert: Who Could Surprise?</h3>
With fast horses and new riders riders in the mix, don&rsquo;t be surprised if a new name shakes up the leaderboard. Could this be the breakthrough event for someone like Ava Wehde and Bonaire? A strong show jumper with speed potential, Bonaire could benefit from the nature of this venue. Diarm picks them as his dark horse to follow here and in the series in general.&nbsp;
<h3 data-start="1827" data-end="1855">Who Takes the Win?</h3>
With it being so early in the season, and the influence of time so high, this is one of the hardest events to call. Expect&nbsp;Dutton, Martin, Bellissimo, and a few surprises to be in the mix for the podium.
Follow the action and check out the <a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/306031364/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">full Form Guide here</a> Stay tuned for our post-event breakdown, and get ready for the next stop: Carolina International!

New Podcast: Eventing Series Returns; Bouckaert International Preview

Beezie Madden on her story, emerging talent on the US Equestrian Open

The stage is set on the Atlantic coast as CSIO5* La Baule returns for another electrifying edition. With a &euro;500,000 prize fund and a field stacked with Olympic medalists, world champions, and rising phenoms, all eyes will be on one pair in particular: Kent Farrington and Greya. After making history with their breakout win here in 2024, the American duo returns to defend their title&mdash;this time as one of the most in-form combinations in the world. But with some of the sport&rsquo;s highest-rated talent also lining up, the road to a repeat will be anything but easy.
<h2> All Eyes on Greya</h2>
When Kent Farrington and Greya galloped across the finish line to win the 2024 Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule, they weren&rsquo;t just adding a prestigious title to their record &mdash; they were announcing Greya&rsquo;s arrival as one of the sport&rsquo;s modern greats. Now, as CSIO La Baule 2025 beckons, the pair return to the French coast with one goal in mind: defend their crown.
&nbsp;
<h2>From Breakthrough to Brilliance</h2>
Their 2024 season was nothing short of transformative. From Wellington to Riyadh and then onto Europe, Greya consistently rose to each occasion. After finishing fourth in the five-star Grand Prix at WEF9, she traveled to the FEI World Cup Finals in Riyadh and narrowly missed a podium with another fourth-place finish. But it was in La Baule that her star truly exploded &mdash; outpacing Karl Cook and Caracole de La Roque in a thrilling jump-off to claim her first Rolex Grand Prix title.
The momentum only continued. Their season was capped by a World Cup win in Traverse City and a final Elo rating of 769, among the Top 10 highest ever achieved by a 10-year-old horse since 2010. Greya joined elite company including Olympic legends HH Azur, Big Star, and Explosion W.
&nbsp;
<h2>Making History at Wellington</h2>
2025 began with more history for Farrington and Greya. At the Winter Equestrian Festival, they became the first ever horse-and-rider combination to win two five-star Grand Prix classes in a single WEF season. Their victory in the $500,000 Lugano Grand Prix CSI5* in February marked their second five-star win in just three weeks.
Farrington praised Greya&rsquo;s "foot speed across the middle and her ability to sprint to the next fence," calling her &ldquo;a great modern show jumper.&rdquo; Her Elo rating climbed to 772 by March, making her the highest-rated U.S. horse and eighth in the world &mdash; a staggering feat for a still-young 11-year-old.
&nbsp;
<h2>2025&rsquo;s Field of Stars: Who Can Stop Greya?</h2>
This year&rsquo;s CSIO La Baule Grand Prix reads like a who&rsquo;s who of global show jumping, and the data backs it up. Here are the top-rated combinations expected to challenge Farrington and Greya for the title:
Dynamix de Belheme &amp; Steve Guerdat (Elo 777) The reigning European Champion enters La Baule with the highest Elo rating in the field. Already a legend, Dynamix&rsquo;s blend of scope and experience makes her a serious threat.
Ermitage Kalone &amp; Gilles Thomas (Elo 775) A powerful up-and-coming Belgian pair with an impressive trajectory. Their high CAS (Clear Against Standard) score suggests they often outperform course difficulty.
Leone Jei &amp; Martin Fuchs (Elo 770) A stalwart on the Swiss team, Leone Jei consistently posts strong results. His huge stride and jump-off speed make him ideal for tight Rolex GP battles.
Bond Jamesbond de Hay &amp; Gregory Wathelet (Elo 770) Last year&rsquo;s third-place finishers return with podium momentum. Known for calculated aggression, they&rsquo;ll be aiming for a cleaner, faster round this time.
&nbsp;
<h2>The Legacy on the Line</h2>
For Greya, this week is about more than another title. It&rsquo;s a chance to solidify her status among the greats. To go from a 10-year-old breakthrough in 2024 to a dominant force in 2025. To prove that her legacy &mdash; like HH Azur before her &mdash; is only just beginning.
&nbsp;

CSIO La Baule 2025: Greya Returns to Defend the Crown

Galway Downs: West Coast Firepower and Rising Stars

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Born into an equestrian dynasty, Alex grew up in a house just 100 meters from the barn, with horses as a constant presence. His father, Michael Matz, is a three-time Olympian, World Championship medalist, and Kentucky Derby-winning trainer. His mother, D.D. Matz, is also a Pan American Games medalist with an exceptional eye for talent.
Despite this pedigree, there was no pressure to ride. &ldquo;They never forced me to do it,&rdquo; Alex says. &ldquo;I think the pressure I feel is the pressure I put on myself.&rdquo;
<h3 class="sh-color-black sh-color">Finding His Own Path in Show Jumping</h3>
Unlike many top juniors who compete intensively from a young age, Alex didn&rsquo;t take the sport seriously until after college. While studying, he watched his friends pursue finance careers in New York City, but the corporate world didn&rsquo;t have the same appeal.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t as appealing as following my dreams and making a career with horses,&rdquo; he says. 
</blockquote>
After graduation, he fully committed, training with industry greats like John and Beezie Madden and Jos Lansink, learning from their expertise and blending it with the knowledge gained from his parents.
<h3 class="sh-color-black sh-color"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6ca3d3ca-493a-4faf-bb7b-96319d36df21.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Alex Matz 1"></h3>
<h3 class="sh-color-black sh-color">Toronto Triumph and a Partnership Built on Trust</h3>
One of Alex&rsquo;s biggest career highlights came at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, where he won three FEI classes&mdash;an achievement he still can&rsquo;t quite believe.
&ldquo;That week was fantastic,&rdquo; he recalls. &ldquo;The crowds are huge, and I don&rsquo;t think I&rsquo;ve ever won three FEI classes at one show before.&rdquo;
One of the horses that took him to victory was Ikigai, a talented gelding owned by the McNeil family, who have been instrumental supporters of Alex&rsquo;s career.
&ldquo;Ikigai had an injury where he was out for close to a year, and they really stayed patient,&rdquo; Alex explains. &ldquo;We had always believed he would win a five-star Grand Prix, and when he did, it was amazing.&rdquo;
With the US Equestrian Open on the horizon, Ikigai is Alex&rsquo;s top contender. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s the most talented horse I&rsquo;ve ever ridden,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;If I do things right, he&rsquo;ll jump clear.&rdquo;
<h3 class="sh-color-black sh-color">The Hard Work Behind the Success</h3>
A key part of Alex&rsquo;s development has been the daily commitment from his father. Even with a full racing stable to manage, Michael Matz still makes time to train with Alex every day. 
&ldquo;My dad is up at 4:30 AM to go to the racetrack, then comes here, and we have a flat lesson every day,&rdquo; Alex says. &ldquo;Having him and my mom&rsquo;s guidance is the best strategy for me.&rdquo; 
His mother, known for her sharp eye in selecting talent, balances out his father&rsquo;s optimism. &ldquo;My dad thinks every horse can go to the Olympics,&rdquo; Alex laughs. &ldquo;And I like every horse too! But my mom is much more selective.&rdquo;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c9d3598e-d999-483c-8997-0c63072dd74f.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Alex Matz 2">
<h3 class="sh-color-black sh-color">Why the US Equestrian Open Matters</h3>
The US Equestrian Open represents something bigger than just another major event. With Rolex and USEF coming together to create a new, elite series, Alex sees it as a game-changer.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;It brings a lot to the sport&mdash;not just for the riders and owners, but also for the fans,&rdquo; he explains. &ldquo;It brings us all together toward a common goal that will be really good for show jumping.&rdquo; 
</blockquote>
Winning the inaugural US Equestrian Open Jumping Final would be a defining moment.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;We know it&rsquo;s going to be the best horses and riders, so it will be extremely competitive,&rdquo; Alex says. &ldquo;But if it all goes right, it would further prove how incredible Ikigai is, and how strong our partnership has become.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
With Ikigai in top form and his team behind him, there&rsquo;s no doubt that Alex Matz will be one to watch when the US Equestrian Open Final gets underway.
 The Jumping Final is now just days away. Action continues in the qualifiers in both Eventing and Dressage.&nbsp; Stay connected with the US Equestrian Open on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and the USEF Network for live event updates, stories, and results. Use #USEquestrianOpen to share your own experiences and connect with fellow fans.

New Podcast: Alex Matz – Building a Career, One Round at a Time

The US Equestrian Open is an exciting new competition series that launched in late 2024, showcasing the three Olympic equestrian disciplines: dressage, eventing, and jumping.&nbsp; Designed to elevate the sport&rsquo;s visibility, engagement, and fan experience, the series will bring together elite athletes and top horses to compete for the discipline titles of US Equestrian Open Champion.&nbsp;&nbsp;
With more than $1 million in prize money and extensive media coverage from USEF Network and ESPN, the US Equestrian Open promises thrilling competition and unparalleled exposure for the sport. This premier series aims to set a new standard in equestrian sport, delivering world-class competition and captivating audiences across the globe.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>2025 US Equestrian Open Finals Schedule:&nbsp;</h3>
<blockquote>
Jumping Final: March 25-30 at the WEF Rolex Finale Week in Wellington, Fla.&nbsp;
Eventing Final: October 9-12 at the Morven Park CCI4*-L in Leesburg, Va.&nbsp;
Dressage Final: November 13-16 at the Thermal CDI5* in Thermal, Calif.&nbsp;
</blockquote>
Great American Insurance Group is a leading provider of equine insurance, offering specialized coverage for horse owners, trainers, breeders, and equestrian businesses. With decades of experience in the industry, Great American is known for its tailored insurance solutions including equine mortality, medical, surgical and liability coverages. It serves a wide range of equestrian sport interests, from high-performance disciplines to breeding and recreational riding. &nbsp;
<blockquote>
&ldquo;The launch of the US Equestrian Open marks an exciting new chapter for equestrian sport in the United States, and we welcome Great American Insurance Group as an official sponsor and supporter of this initiative,&rdquo; said Bill Moroney, US Equestrian Chief Executive Officer. &ldquo;Their longstanding commitment to the equine industry and dedication to supporting horse owners, athletes, and professionals makes them ideal for this series.&rdquo;&nbsp;
&ldquo;We are thrilled to collaborate with USEF for the inaugural US Equestrian Open competition series,&rdquo; said Anne King, Divisional Assistant Vice President, Great American Equine Mortality. &ldquo;This relationship reflects our deep commitment to the sport and its incredible community. We wish all the competitors the best of luck and look forward to celebrating their dedication, talent, and passion for equestrian excellence.&rdquo;&nbsp;
</blockquote>
<h3>About Great American Insurance Group&nbsp;</h3>
Great American Insurance Group&rsquo;s roots go back to 1872 with the founding of its flagship company, Great American Insurance Company. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, the operations of Great American Insurance Group are engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses. Great American Insurance Company has received an &ldquo;A&rdquo; (Excellent) or higher rating from the A.M. Best Company for more than 115 years and is currently rated &ldquo;A+&rdquo; (Superior). The members of Great American Insurance Group are subsidiaries of American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG), also based in Cincinnati, Ohio. AFG&rsquo;s common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFG. Policies are underwritten by Great American Insurance Company, Great American Assurance Company, and Great American Security Insurance Company, authorized insurers in all 50 states and the DC.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4def42c5-5a3c-4d2d-a9c5-7b6f757148ec.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Great American Advert">

US Equestrian Welcomes Great American Insurance Group as the Official Equine Insurance Sponsor of the US Equestrian Open

Anna Marek is poised to take over the top spot in the North American League standings. Sitting at 54 points, she needs only a ninth-place finish in this nine-horse field to secure the lead&mdash;an outcome that seems almost inevitable given her consistency this season.
<h2 dir="ltr">Marek on a Mission</h2>
For Marek, this weekend isn&rsquo;t just about climbing the standings. Last week, after missing out on the final FEI World Cup spot, she set her sights on a new goal: qualifying for the US Open. And she&rsquo;s bringing serious firepower to Ocala to make that happen.
She&rsquo;ll be aboard Fayvel, a horse that already boasts one of the top scores in Open qualification (78.995%). Marek herself holds three of the ten best Open scores this season&mdash;two with Fire Fly and one with Fayvel. If she and Fayvel can deliver a breakout performance this week, they could set a new series-best mark. To do that, they&rsquo;ll need to surpass 80.325%, which would also be a personal best for the pair.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1ba97d71-a270-4386-b902-55fe21146232.png?width=1496&amp;height=1666" alt="A table showing the top 10 scores in the US Open of Dressage so far this year. ">
Their partnership has been years in the making. Fayvel's owner, Cynthia Davila, originally planned to compete him herself and brought him to Marek for help with the upper-level movements. The pair made their Grand Prix debut in 2021, but a few years later, an accident sidelined Davila from riding. That twist of fate led to a pivotal conversation&mdash;one that would change Fayvel&rsquo;s career.
Over lunch, Davila turned to Anne Gribbons, Marek&rsquo;s coach, with a direct question: How good did she really think Fayvel was? And should Marek be the one to show him? Gribbons didn&rsquo;t hesitate. Soon after, she and Davila approached Marek with their answer: she should take the ride. The transition wasn&rsquo;t immediate&mdash;Marek had to adjust to riding a horse she had originally prepared for someone else&mdash;but she stepped into the partnership fully, entering Fayvel in a few CDIs to test the waters.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s not as sensitive as Fire Fly, so I can ride him a little more boldly,&rdquo; Marek said. She is able to let go of all hesitation, taking every risk available. Fayvel&rsquo;s response? A willing and confident, "Yeah, sure! Whatever you want."
<h2 dir="ltr">The Challenge: Mendoza Loor and Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike</h2>
Marek and Julio Mendoza Loor met in 2023 at the Pan American Games, where they both stood on the podium. Marek, aboard Fire Fly, won individual bronze and team gold for the U.S., while Mendoza Loor and Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike claimed individual gold for Ecuador. Now, their rivalry continues in Ocala, where Mendoza Loor enters as one of the biggest threats to Marek&rsquo;s bid for victory.
The two have already gone <a href="https://equestrian-hub.com/show/193602/competition/dressage/2565973" target="_blank" rel="noopener">head-to-head</a>&nbsp;this week in the Grand Prix, the required qualifier for the Freestyle. Marek took the win with 70.522%, while Mendoza Loor finished second on 69.587%. The Grand Prix has historically been a lower-scoring event than the Freestyle, and it remains unclear how well results from one translate to the other. But if this first matchup is any indication, the battle in the Freestyle could be even closer than expected.
The Ecuadorian combination has a personal best of 84.230%&mdash;a number that eclipses the rest of the field. Over 12 performances, they&rsquo;ve averaged 77.823%, a level of consistency that makes them the clear favorites.&nbsp;
Denielle Gallagher and Come Back De Massa, winners of the last Ocala event, are back in the lineup, but a repeat victory seems unlikely against the likes of Marek and Mendoza Loor. Gallagher&rsquo;s best score with Come Back De Massa sits at 72.94%, well below the leading contenders.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/24cc954b-3dbb-487b-a06d-9299f3433fc1.png?width=1376&amp;height=1618" alt="Table showing the Grand Prix Freestyle Stats for the World Equestrian Center March Dressage entries">
While the depth of the field isn&rsquo;t as strong as previous qualifiers, the battle for top honors is a compelling one. Can Marek secure her series lead in style, or will Mendoza Loor prove unbeatable? And with Open qualification on the line, could we see another step forward for Fayvel? Tune in to the <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/16155" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USEF Network</a>&nbsp;on Friday to watch the Grand Prix Freestyle unfold live.
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
For the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most up-to-date series calendar</a> and <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">latest standings</a>, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/">usequestrianopen.org</a>.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b0ba4a7e-31a4-4a11-a147-7faa41ac9f1d.jpg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage">
Stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen"> Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen"> Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian"> Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
And stream the action live by becoming a <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USEF Network Fan</a> for free.
&nbsp;
<hr>
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at <a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;

A horse in extended trot across the diagonal 

Marek Takes Aim at Series Lead in Ocala Showdown

As the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) gears up for its third five-star Grand Prix of the season, anticipation is at an all-time high. Saturday night&rsquo;s $500,000 CSI5* Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix will see some of the world&rsquo;s best combinations battle it out under the lights in the International Arena. With just one more CSI5* Grand Prix left before the $750,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Final during WEF 12, this is a crucial moment for riders to make their mark.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/611386ef-bae7-4dee-913f-2a2f1bc45a39.png?width=1484&amp;height=1862" alt="Uyi Hw Top 10 Elo Rated Horses for the Wef 9 500 000 Csi5 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix (1)">
<h1>Reigning Champions in the Field</h1>
Two of the biggest names in the sport will enter the ring as the highest-rated horses in the competition: Henrik von Eckermann &amp; King Edward and Christian Kukuk &amp; Checker 47. These two reigning champions&mdash;King Edward as the current World Champion and Checker 47 as the reigning Olympic Champion&mdash;have already proven themselves at WEF this season.
King Edward, the highest-rated horse on record with an Elo rating of 810, finished fifth in the WEF 5 CSI5* Grand Prix after delivering a solid double clear. Meanwhile, Checker 47 has been nothing short of dominant, claiming a CSI4* Grand Prix victory during WEF 3, finishing as the runner-up in WEF 7&rsquo;s five-star Grand Prix, and are of course the defending champions of the WEF 12 Grand Prix.
Both horses arrive in top form and will be the combinations to beat when the competition heats up under the Saturday night lights.
<h1>The Hometown Heroes</h1>
<h3>McLain Ward &amp; Ilex &ndash; The USA&rsquo;s Best Shot?</h3>
If the American crowd is looking for a home victory, their hopes may rest on McLain Ward &amp; Ilex. This combination played a key role in securing Team USA&rsquo;s Olympic silver medal in Paris last summer, and Ilex will be making his five-star Grand Prix season debut here at WEF 9.
Ward&rsquo;s track record at the Winter Equestrian Festival speaks for itself. Since 2010, he has amassed an impressive 60 international wins at this venue. He is also one of just two riders in history to win multiple five-star Grands Prix in the same WEF season&mdash;a feat that only one other rider has ever achieved.
<h3>Kent Farrington &amp; Myla &ndash; Making History?</h3>
That rider? Kent Farrington&mdash;who has already won both five-star Grands Prix of the WEF 2025 season aboard Greya. No rider has ever managed to win more than two five-star Grand Prix classes in a single WEF season, but with Myla in strong form, Farrington could be on the verge of rewriting history.
Though Myla sits just outside the Top 10 Elo-rated horses in the field (Elo: 720), she is ranked among the Top 5 highest-rated 10-year-old horses in the world. Farrington&rsquo;s record speaks for itself, and if anyone can pull off the impossible, it&rsquo;s him.
<h3>Lillie Keenan &amp; Argan de Beliard &ndash; A Veteran of the International Arena</h3>
For Lillie Keenan &amp; Argan de Beliard, experience will be key. The 13-year-old gelding will be jumping his 40th five-star 160cm round in this Grand Prix, with 12 of those rounds already taking place in this very arena at WEF.
Most recently, the pair delivered a strong podium finish, taking third place in the WEF 7 CSI5* Grand Prix. With familiarity and form on their side, they will be looking to improve upon that result as they take on another stacked field this weekend.
<h1>The Challengers</h1>
<h3>Darragh Kenny &amp; Zero K &ndash; The Momentum Factor</h3>
Ireland has always had a strong presence in Wellington, and this year is no exception. Leading the charge will be Darragh Kenny &amp; Zero K, who will enter the ring last in the draw after their WEF 9 Challenge Cup victory last Thursday. Kenny has a history of success under the lights, and with momentum on his side, he could be a serious contender for the win.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;These classes are so competitive. There are so many brilliant riders. One day it&rsquo;s me, next day it&rsquo;s Kent [Farrington], next day it&rsquo;s Richard Vogel, Henrik Von Eckermann, Mclain Ward. That&rsquo;s just how competitive this circuit is here.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<h3>Shane Sweetnam &amp; James Kann Cruz &ndash; Ireland&rsquo;s Top-Rated Horse</h3>
Another top Irish combination to watch will be Shane Sweetnam &amp; James Kann Cruz, currently the highest-rated Irish horse with an Elo of 760. Coming off a runner-up finish in the Ocala World Cup last month, James Kann Cruz is in top form and could be one of the biggest threats to the championship favorites.
<h1>The Stage is Set</h1>
With elite talent from around the world converging on Wellington, this promises to be one of the most thrilling nights of the WEF 2025 season. Can King Edward solidify his reign? Will Checker 47 add another WEF Grand Prix title to his record? Or will a US rider rise to the occasion on home soil? One thing is certain&mdash;Saturday night is set to deliver a world-class showdown.
&nbsp;
<hr>
About the Series Born from a commitment by the US Equestrian Board in July 2023, the US Equestrian Open aims to grow the sport's awareness, exposure, and fan engagement. With $1 million in prize money and extensive media coverage on ESPN and the USEF Network, this series is designed to:
<ul>
<li>Provide a structured, prestigious championship format.</li>
<li>Attract a broader audience.</li>
<li>Enhance competition opportunities for athletes.</li>
</ul>
Stay connected with the US Equestrian Open on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and the USEF Network for live event updates, stories, and results. Use #USEquestrianOpen to share your own experiences and connect with fellow fans.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/1ba79d22-0b13-4687-b1e5-5dc0cd708aee?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="P. 4 Jumping">
For sponsorship and media inquiries, please contact:
Carly Weilminster: cweilminster@usef.org Layson Griffin: lgriffin@usef.org

Champions, Challengers & Hometown Heroes: Who Will Reign in WEF 9’s Five-Star Grand Prix?

With just 0.04 percentage points separating them, Week 10&rsquo;s qualifier was a tight battle for first place. Ultimately, Julio Mendoza Loor took the win aboard his Paris Games mount, Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike, despite a music error that forced them to restart their test. New to the US Equestrian Open of Dressage qualifiers&mdash;but not new to the sport&mdash;Mendoza Loor rode to an upbeat, bold soundtrack, earning a score of 75.860%. Finishing second was Anna Marek aboard Fayvel, a 14-year-old gelding. This finish puts Marek and the US flag back atop the leaderboard.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e9eaf549-50ba-4fec-995a-c082ff590f4c.png?width=491&amp;height=496" alt="Top 5 riders in the US Open of Dressage as of Feb 9, 2025. (1) Anna Marek (2) Evelyn Eger (2) Karen Lipp (4) Denielle Gallagher (5) Felicitas Hendricks">
Mendoza Loor&rsquo;s high-energy freestyle music particularly suited &ldquo;Goldie&rsquo;s&rdquo; trot work. The 13-year-old KWPN gelding scored exceptionally well in the piaffe and passage, earning 8.0s from most judges. A stumble during one of the flying changes cost them a few marks, likely making the final score even closer than it would have been otherwise. This marked their return to competition after placing 27th individually at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
&ldquo;There were a lot of highlights tonight in the test,&rdquo; Mendoza Loor said. &ldquo;After the line of the one-tempis, he was really there in what I was asking him to do. His performance was amazing."
Marek, fresh off a second-place finish in Wellington last weekend on Fire Fly, delivered a strong test to a freestyle featuring the punchy, rhythmic &lsquo;BOOM&rsquo; by X Ambassadors and the playful, offbeat &lsquo;Coincidance&rsquo; by Handsome Driver. Her ride was remarkably consistent, with no movement receiving lower than a 7.0 from any judge.
The 0.04 percentage point margin between first and second place is the smallest in Series history, breaking the previous record of 0.210 percentage points, which was also set by Marek&mdash;though that time aboard Fire Fly&mdash;when she narrowly edged out Kevin Kohmann and D&uuml;nensee at Global Dressage Festival 3.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-LMZSy" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Winning MarginsUS Equestrian Open Dressage Qualifiers" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/LMZSy/1/" height="539" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Range Plot" data-external="1"></iframe>
This second-place finish earned Marek 17 points in the Series standings, cementing her position at the top of the leaderboard. With the Final in Thermal, CA, this November, her focus is now on maintaining that lead as the qualifiers near their halfway point.
<h2 dir="ltr">What&rsquo;s Next&nbsp;</h2>
The back-to-back qualifiers return to Wellington this weekend for Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10&rsquo;s CDI5*&mdash;a highly anticipated competition in Florida&rsquo;s winter circuit. The entry list is stacked, with top combinations poised to shake up the standings: Adrienne Lyle on Helix, Anna Marek on Fayvel, Evelyn Eger on Tabledance 3, Felicitas Hendricks on Drombusch OLD, Kevin Kohmann on D&uuml;nensee, Tinne Vilhelmson&nbsp;Silfv&eacute;n&nbsp;on Devanto, and Julio Mendoza Loor on Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike.&nbsp;
With Marek, Eger, and Hendricks separated by fewer than 20 points, the battle for the top spot is far from over.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b0ba4a7e-31a4-4a11-a147-7faa41ac9f1d.jpg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2025 US Open of Dressage">

A bay horse in a double bridle walks out of the arena after a dressage test. 

Down to the Decimal: Mendoza Loor Wins Closest Finish in Series History

In only her second Grand Prix Freestyle as a senior, accomplished 21-year-old Erin Nichols earned her first international freestyle victory at TerraNova, scoring 72.140% aboard her 16-year-old KWPN gelding, Elian Royale. While this marks a new milestone at the senior level, Nichols is no stranger to the spotlight&mdash;she&rsquo;s a former triple gold medalist at the North American Youth Championships and a winner of multiple international U25 classes, including freestyle victories on both sides of the Atlantic.
Nichols placed second in Friday&rsquo;s Grand Prix with a 68.848%, just behind USA&rsquo;s Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena (69.109%). While Ebeling opted to ride in the Grand Prix Special, it was Nichols and Eline Eckroth contesting the Freestyle the next day.
While not an overall personal best, the 72.140% is right in line with Nichols&rsquo; average across her freestyle performances&mdash;most of which came during her successful run in the Under 25 ranks. That makes this weekend&rsquo;s test a senior-level personal best, and an important benchmark as she builds her r&eacute;sum&eacute; at the top level. Although the field was small, the win is a clear milestone for Nichols, who has her sights set on future U.S. team appearances and dreams of representing her country at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
<h2>Eckroth Climbs the Leaderboard</h2>
Eckroth&rsquo;s second-place finish&mdash;earned in a modestly contested class&mdash;was enough to propel her from 11th to 4th in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage standings. She edges out early-season favorite Felicitas Hendricks, who is likely returning to Germany now that the Wellington circuit has wrapped. Like Karen Lipp, currently ranked third overall, Eckroth is gaining ground through consistent 2nd- and 3rd-place finishes at smaller shows. It&rsquo;s a reminder that Series points don&rsquo;t always come from big wins&mdash;smart scheduling can pay off, especially with cash prizes going to the top 18 riders at the end of the qualifiers. The biggest payday, however, will come at the Finals, where those top 18 will face off in Thermal, California, this November.
<h2>Ocala Could Shake Things Up</h2>
The TerraNova weekend may have featured a small field, but it gave Nichols another career milestone to add to her already impressive resume. It also shuffled the standings in favor of Eckroth, who will compete again next weekend against third-place rider Karen Lipp at the World Equestrian Center&rsquo;s CDI4* Freestyle. With the two riders only four points apart, Ocala&rsquo;s outing could significantly reshape the leaderboard&mdash;potentially even knocking Germany&rsquo;s Evelyn Eger out of second place.
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Horse and rider trot away from the camera in an upper level dressage test.

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